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6 of the Best Low Carb Pasta Alternatives

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New to keto or the low-carb lifestyle? If you’re addicted to pasta, the good news is that you can have your noodles and eat them, too, so long as you select the best low-carb alternatives.

It would be great to know approximately how many people every month are newcomers to the ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle. That statistic is hard to come by but one thing is likely and that’s that more and more people are hopping on the bandwagon. For the long-time lover of pasta, that presents a conundrum. How can you possibly give up the satisfying ritual of twirling noodles with your fork?

Thankfully, you don’t have to give up pasta. You can still enjoy the ritual of bowls of noodles with low-carb alternatives.

NO.1 Shirataki Noodles

Home-court advantage has its perks. No discussion of low-carb pasta can begin without Konjac Noodles, Shirataki noodles are a traditional Asia food made from  konjac root, an Asian root vegetable. Shirataki noodles were virtually carb- and calorie-free.

 

Incredibly, shirataki noodles are almost entirely made of water. But a tiny bit of fiber from the root of a yam-like plant offers outsized health benefits. Studies show that the fiber in Konjac Noodle (glucomannan) promotes satiety, reduces appetite by delaying gastric emptying and normalizes blood-sugar levels.

What makes shirataki noodles stand out is their composition—primarily water with a touch of fiber from the konjac root. This fiber, known as glucomannan, offers significant health benefits. Studies show that the fiber in Konjac Noodle (glucomannan) promotes satiety, reduces appetite by delaying gastric emptying and normalizes blood-sugar levels.

But how does it taste?The answer: the same as normal pasta. The texture is chewy and great, and they are bland in a good way. However, their main appeal lies in their ability to absorb the flavors of the ingredients and sauces they are cooked with. This versatility extends to shirataki rice and shirataki noodles, making them a staple for creative cooks who enjoy experimenting with different recipes.

They’re very high in fiber.

They’re precooked and easy to prepare.

They come in different styles (spaghetti, fettuccine, angel hair) and you can use them in absolutely any preparation.  

Net carbs per serving: Konnyaku Noodles contains 0.2 grams.

NO.2 Spaghetti Squash

It’s right there in the name. Spaghetti squash is an ideal pasta substitute because you can scrape the inside with a fork to create vegetable-based, spaghetti-like noodles. If you’re cooking it yourself, you can microwave the squash for a couple of minutes to soften the skin. Then, cut the ends off and slice the squash in half length-wise. After you scoop out the seeds and pulp from the middle, you can roast the squash, then shred it into non-pasta noodles.

Post-oven, there’s no need to cook the squash noodles further. You can use them with your favorite sauce or in other pasta preparations. You can also boil a whole spaghetti squash in a water-filled pot to cook it. Like the other veggies mentioned here, spaghetti squash has filling fiber, plus nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin B6. There’s only 5 grams of net carbs per serving.

NO.3 Kelp noodles

Made from seaweed, kelp noodles are low in carbs, calories, and fat. They’re also a great source of calcium. Kelp noodles have a basic bland taste and texture, which makes them great for soaking up and showing off complex flavors. While they’re often featured in Asian dishes, they work well as pasta replacements in other cuisines, too.

One serving of kelp noodles 2 net grams of carbs and 15% daily value of calcium.

NO.4 Zucchini Noodles

Like spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles (zoodles) was one of the first popular low-carb alternatives. There’s only 2.4 grams of net carbs per serving and you’re obviously getting some nutrient density from the veggie.

NO.5 Cabbage Noodles

Cabbage can be cut into noodle shapes and makes a commendable alternative to traditional pasta. It won’t have the same texture or taste as pasta, but it still works great as a vehicle for delicious sauces. Serve it with a pesto or red sauce. A serving has just 6 grams of carbs, making it ideal for weight loss or for reducing carb intake for various reasons.

NO.6 Hearts of palm

Hearts of palm are relatively new to the food scene in the U.S. You may have seen canned versions in the grocery store or as an ingredient on a menu. These cylindrical white stalks come from the inner core of palm trees and look similar to asparagus with a milder flavor and crunch-like water chestnuts. Hearts of Palm pasta is the perfect candidate for making a noodle substitute. One serving of a popular brand contains 2 net grams of carbs.

What’s your favorite low-carb pasta (besides Shirataki Noodles)? Leave a comment…

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